Critical Theory Essay

English 217 Intro to Critical Theory
Updated 29 December 2010
Spring Semester, 2010 MWF
Instructor: Darby Lewes, Professor of English (Office D324)
Office: (570) 321-4114   Home: (570) 547-7010
Email: lewes@lycoming.edu
Course Information
English 217 is an introduction to literary criticism as a discipline, which provides training in writing critical papers and familiarization with major literary genres and critical schools of thought.   Prerequisite: English 106 or consent of instructor. 
In order to do well in this class, you must
Attend class regularly.
Since class participation will make up a considerable portion of the final grade, students with more than three undocumented absences will receive deductions from their final grade: 4 absences, ½ letter grade deduction; 5 absences, 1 full letter deduction; 5 absences, 1 ½ letter grade deduction. Students with six or more undocumented absences will receive an “F” in the class. Excused (documented) absences must be made up with written exercises assigned by the professor.
Turn in all assigned work on time.
There are no late papers in this class: only timely papers and "F" papers. Extensions may be arranged, IN ADVANCE, if the situation warrants.
Expect surprise quizzes.
Grades for these quizzes will be averaged into the class participation grade.
Grade Distribution
Grade distribution is weighted as follows
4 Papers: 40 points each
Project: 20 points
Journal:  40 points (NB Journals are due at each class; no late journals accepted.)
Outlines: 40  points
Class participation: 40 points
 
Textbooks
Required:  Dobie, Theory Into Practice (Thompson/Heinle)
Required:  Wilde, Picture of Dorian Gray (Longman Cultural Edition)            
(Highly) Recommended Textbooks
A decent hardcover "college" dictionary for home use  (easily the best investment you will ever make)
A paperback dictionary for the classroom
A good thesaurus
MLA Handbook
Course Outline and Assignments
 
Week #1 11...